Crossing gate



May 30, 1933.

E. H. TAYLOR ET AL CROS S ING GATE Filed Aug. 20, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet l May 30, 1933. E. H. TAYLQR ET AL r1,911,405

CROSSING GATE Filed Aug. 20, 19:50 7 sheets-sheet 2 56 I: l @E ward imma?" e j,

May 30, 1933. E. H. TAYLOR ET AL 1,911,405

CROSS ING GATE Filed Aug. 20, 1930 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 30, 1933- E. H. TAYLOR ET AL 1,911,405

W f CROSSING GATE Filed Aug.. 20, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 30, 1933. E. H. TAYLOR ET AL v 1,911b4o5 GROSS ING GATE May 30, 1933. E. H. TAYLOR ET AL CROSSING GATE Filed Aug. 20, 1930 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 May 30, 1933. E. H. TAYLOR ET AL 1 1,911,405

CROSSING GATE Filed Aug. 20, 1930 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented May 30, 1.933

AUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWARD H. TAYLOR, EDGAR F.'SEIFERT, AND CARL OTTOKAR MERICKA, OF CHICAGO, WILLIAM M. LOSER, OF WHEATON, HARRY R. BEI-INKE, OF VILLA PARK, AND

HOWARD SOMERVELL, OF EVANST'ON, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOIS, MENTS, TO CONSOLIDATED SIGNAL COMPANY, A CORPORATION OE ILLINOIS CROSSING GATE Application led August20, 1930. Serial No. 476,578.

This invention pertains to crossing barriers, and more particularly to automatic" and multiple safety gate and signal systems.

In safety barrier systems, the most satisfactory method of guarding a railway crossing, there are a number of problems which must be solved. First of all, an adequate crossing barrier must be provided which is positive in operation, affords adequate pro-v tection, andfoperates on the safety side, being preferably automatically dontrolled 'by track vehicles. Obviously, crossingbarriers which are manually operated, even though the rst cost may be less than that of an automatically controlled barrier, are more expensive in the long run since an attendant must always be at the crossing to raise and lower the crossing gates at the approach of a train, this attendant must be sheltered, and some means provided whereby the approach of the train is indicated to him. Another consideration is that the crossing gate must be as inexpensive as possible, for at least two gates must be installed at a crossing.

lVith the L nld type of gates, if a road ve hicle is trapped between the lowered crossing gates, the road vehicle was either hit by the approaching train or Vmust break through the crossing gate, causing damage to either the gate or the vehicle, or both, so that it is desirable that there be some safety feature connected with the gate whereby the gate can be rendered inoperative: for a short period of time to take care of any emergency whereby a motorist is trapped between the ates when in lowered position, and this safgety feature preferably should not involve the raising and lowering of the gates, as this is slow and opens the crossing at the time when a train is approaching.

There are other contingencies which may arise which should be taken care of for the crossing gate to be successful, one of which is the condition wherein the gates may be lowered and strike, say, the upper portion of a road vehicle. `This frequently occurs BY MEsNE AssIGN- ,a

where the motorist approaches at too" great a speed and so is not able to stop intime.

Other types of gates may be desirable, such as a gate which is not swingable in a horizontal direction, which type of gate would be especially adaptable for use as a sidewalk gate or over roads where only low speed traflic is found. In conjunction with this type of gate it may be desira'ble to provide a construction wherein the operating .mechanism is disposed wholly in the gate supporting head so that it may be adapted to existingstandards as well as those new supports used in the complete device.

With the above referred to types of gates a positive and effectivel switching mecha nism must beprovided and one which can be readily rendered inoperative, yet one which is positive in operation and is simple to operate.

eoV

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a barrier constructionV which, while effective to provide safety means at a crossing, is still yieldable to impact and/or obstruction. p

Another object of the invention is to provide a crossing barrier which, though positive in operation, is operable in a manner whereby jarring of the barrier and consequent overload of parts of the device is prevented.

A further object of the inventionis to provide a crossing barrier system wherein aV plurality of means of operation isv provided, one of which is normally inoperative and is only operative upon failure 4oflthenor` mally operative means. y Y

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a crossing barrier wherein the operating means is disposed in porting head thereof whereby a compact and'interchangeable unit is provided.

the gate sup'-A A still further object of the invention is to provide av switch mechanism which is operable to control the operating devices for raising and lowering the barrier arms.

Another further object of the invention is to provide a barrier and system of operation therefor which fulfills all requirements of manufacture and service.

ith these and various other objects in view, the invention may consist ofV certain novel features of construction and operation, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification; drawings and claims appended hereto. i

In the drawings, which illustrate an em. bodiment of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate.

like parts- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation of one form of the device embodying the invention; f

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the device shown in Figure .1;

`Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional elevation through the gate supporting head of the barrier shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation taken substantiallyr at right angles tothe head of the barrier shown in Figure 8 showing the gates in lowered position. Y

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation; corresponding to Figure 1; of a modified form of the device;

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional elevation through the antifriction bearing assembly for the barrier shaft;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation of a part of the head of the construction shown in Figure 5, showing means for carrying electrical connections from the standard into said head;

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional elevation of a modified form of meansV for carrying electrical connections into the head;

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the switch control mechanism adapted'for use with the devices illustrated in VFigures 1 to 5; inclusive;

Figure 10 is a side elevation taken at the opposite end of the switch control mechanism shown in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a top plan view of the switch control mechanism shown in Figures 9 and 10; and v Figure 12 isV an end elevation of the device looking Vtoward the left; as viewed in Y Figure 9.

Referring first of all more particularly to the assembly Vof thebarrier shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, and 6; the standard p or pedestal 2O is provided with the base 22 forr supporting the pedestal casing 24, which casing is provided with suitable removable cover plates 26 and 28 permitting ingress.

into the interior of the pedestal casing. rllhe barrier supporting head 80 is preferably a casting provided with depending spaced rim flanges 82 adapted to embrace the rim flange 84 disposed on the pedestal casing and between which suitable packing V86 may be interposed to prevent the entrance of foreign matter into the casing. The head-and casing are provided with securing-lugs 38 and 40 to receive the securing means 42 which is shown in the form of bolts for fastening the head to the casing. Thehead is closed by means of the removable cap 44 bolted there,- to as at 46 and provided with the embracing flanges48 adapted to embrace the rim of the head between which insulating packing 5() is provided.

The head or aligned bosses 52 braced to the side of the casing byV suitable gussets 54, said bosses being adapted to receive the roller bearing vassemblies 56. These assemblies are inserted 60 formed inthe boss and retained in position by means of the outer collar 62. The anti-friction rollers 64 are disposed between the cup and the cone 66 and mounted on the transverse shaft 70. The cone is maintained in operative position on the shaft 70 by means of the shrink collar 72, and the space between the outer periphery of the boss andV the shaft 70V is closed by means of the cover plate 74secured to the casing as at 76. The shaft 70 extends outwardly of the head and is provided with the pinion 78 mounted thereon and having cooperative relation with the rack 80 mounted on the barrier arms 82. Lubrication of the Vantifriction bearings may be had through a suitable aperture formed in the cover plate as at 7 5, or on the boss as at 77 the latter extending to the lubricant recess formedin theboss.l

The barrier arms; shown provided with the adjustable counterweight 84, are adapted to operate-between two positions limited by the transverse stops 86 secured tothe casing 24, in the raised position; and by the transverse kstops 88 secured to the bracket 90 on the head; in the down position. rllhe rack 80 is contained ina suitable casing 92 disposed to open only` inwardly of the barrier arms whereby grit and dirt are preventedY by means of the outer collar 62. The anti-V friction rollers 64 are disposed between the cup and the cone 66 and mounted on the transverse shaft 70. The cone is maintained in operative position on the shaft 70 by means of the shrink collar 72, and the space between the outer periphery of the boss and the shaft is closed by means of the cover plate 74 secured to the casing as at 76. The shaft 70 extends outwardly of the head and isl provided with the pinion 78 mounted thereon and having cooperative relation with the rack 80 mounted on the barrier arms 82. Lubrication of the antifriction bearings may be had through a suitable aperture formed in the cover plate as at 75, or on the boss as at 77, the latter extending to the lubricant recess formed in the boss.

The barrier arms, shown provided with the adjustable counterwei'ght 84, are adapted to operate between two positions limited by the transverse stops 86 secured to the casing 24, in the raised position, and yby the transverse stops' 88 secured tothe bracket 90 on the head, in the down position. The rack 80 is contained in a suitable casing 92 disposed to open only inwardly of the barrier arms whereby grit and `dirt are prevented from entering the casing and obstructing operation of the rack and pinion.

A support 94 is secured in the head casing to suitable brackets 96 preferably formed integral therewith, said support serving to provide securing means to which the motor units 98 and 100 of the direct and alternating current type may be fastened. The motors are provided with drive shafts 102 and 104 provided with pinions 106 and 108 adapted to'mesh with the gear 110 fixed to the shaft 112 journaled in the gear housing 115, said gear housingbeing carried by the transverse supports 116. Y The shaft 112 is adapted todrive the vertical shaft 114 journaled in the casing as at 116 and 118 through the gear train 12C-122.

The upper portion of the shaft 114 externally of the housing is rovided with the worm 124 meshing with t e gear 126 mounted on the shaft 70 whereby movement of the shaft 114 is imparted to the shaft 70. The lower end of the shaft 114 is provided with the universal joint 128 through which said shaft is connected to the drive shaft 180 connected through the universal joint 132 to the vertically extending shaft 134'of the control switch 136. The base 138 of the switch 136 is mounted on suitable brackets 140 provided in the casing 24, and suitable connecting bars 142 and 1444are secured to the casing 24 and the head 30 at convenient points therein for effecting the proper electrical connections, the conductors being preferably carried in the casings 146 and 148 disposed in the casing and head.

In the construction shown in Figure 5,

thebarrier arms 82 are mounted on the transverse shaft 70 to be operated in a simi* lar manner by the motors 98er 100, said motors being adapted to drive the vertical shaft 114 vjournaledjas at 116 and 118 in the'casing 115. The drive to the shaft 114 is through the gearand shaft 112 and gear trainl -122 -ln this instance, however, the vertical shaft 114 is provided with the gear 150 meshing with the gear 152 carried by the operatingshaft 154 suitably journaled in bearings as at 156 in the head 30 and located in the center line of the mounting of the head on the casing 24. The casing 24 is provided with the closure plate 158secured thereto as at 160, the inner depending flanges 162 of the closure plate embracing the vertical tube 164 forming a mounting for the head. The head is secured to the tube as at 166 and is provided with the depending skirt 168 embracing the cover plate 158 to prevent entrance of any foreign matter into the casing; p f

The-tube forms a rotatable support for the head and is j ournaled into suitable bear.- ings at 170, the bearing housing being carried on the platform 172 secured in the casing 24. The tube is provided with the gear segment 174 fixedly secured thereto and meshing 'with the gear segment 176 secured to the jack shaft 178 suitably journaled into the casing 24. The jack shaft 178' is provided with the yoke 180 rotatably mounted with respect thereto and being adapted to be engaged by the pins 182 carried on the gear segment 176. The depending arms of the yoke 180 are pivoted as at 184 to the depending rods 186 which extend through suitable apertures formed in the platform 172. The ends of the arms are provided with spring caps 188 and are each provided with the expansion springs 190 located between said caps and suitable caps or positipning means 192 provided on the platform l 2.

'It will thus be seen that movement of the head can `be effected with respect to the standard, transverse movement of the barriers causing the head to rotate on the tube 164 and the bearings 170. This movement will cause the gear segment 172 to operate the gear segment 176 in a manner depending upon the rotation .of the head 80. `This movement will be imparted to the yoke by lmeans of the proper pin 182, causing one of the springs190 to be compressed between vthe spring caps, this compression causing return of the head-to its normal position when the barrier arms are freed from ob-f struction. The movement will be permitted without change inthe operatingV mechanism by virtue of the gear train 15G-152 and the fact that the operating shaft 154 is lo-` cated on the center line of the tube 164. The operating shaft 154 extends downward-` ly and is connected through the vertical shaft 134 of the control switch 136which is mounted on the brackets 140 as before described. i f

i As it may be desirableto provide electrical signals on the gate arm or head, andas an electrical connectioninust be made to operate the motors, the floor 31. of the head is provided with a boss 151 disposed within the boundary of the-member 164. V,The individual conductors Aof the member 147 may be secured through a universal joint 153 to a sleeve 155, said sleevev having contact with a piston 157 and through a shoulder 159 with the piston rod 161; Between the shoulder' and piston there is disposed a spring 163L to take up slack.v The piston rod is secured through a universal joint 165 with the binding post 167 vextending' into the head through the insulating sleeve 169, to Vwhich post is secured the proper conductor 149 running to the proper 'binding posts 144 (not shown in Figure 5).

In the modification shown in Figure 8, the shaft 154 is provided with a supporting` collar 171 forming a support for the arm 173 loosely mounted on said shaft. TheA arm 173 may be of insulating material, or may be metallic carrying insulated brushes 175 spring pressed as at 183, to which are secured the conductors 147 of the member 148. Vrlhe'brushes have sliding electrical contact with the contact rings 177 mounted onV insulation 179 carried by said head, each Contact ring being suitably connected to binding posts 181 to which conductors are secured `to effect connection to the proper binding posts 144.Y f

An alternative form may have a long flex- .ible cable 148 extending directly into the head and having sufficient slack in member 164 to provide for at least a 90o oscillation of said head.

This invention, of course, contemplates the use of a reversible motor, and to this end switch .mechanism must be provided which will permit reversing of the operating shafts 130 or 154, depending upon which device is used. The switch 136 is mounted on the base 138 which is provided with the bracket arms 194 on which is mounted, the insulating switch bar 195 carrying spaced depending switch lingers 196 and 198, said u switch 'ngers being adapted vto be electrically connected to the source of supply and the operating mechanism through suitable binding posts 200, each being connected to a linger. The shaft 134 journaled in the housingor base 138 is provided with the reversible worin 202 adapted to have cooperative relation with the gear 204 mounted to drive :the shaft 206provided with the lifting pawl 208 adapted to engage the )in 210 provided on the switch rarm 2,12, the end vor said switch arm being provided with the insulating member '214 carrying-the contactl points`216" for establishing electrical YVconnection between the `respective spaced switch fingers 196'` when in contact therewith.

The lifting pawl 208 is provided withthe shoulder 218 for engaging the pin 210;' As the switchmechanism described herein must be in duplicate to control up and down movements 4of the barrier arms and as reverse operation serves to control the switch arms, the shoulder 218' on the opposing pawl is oppositelyfaced as shown in Figures 6-and 9 asV opposite switch arms are operated by the shaft 206, the shaft operating said switcharms in reverse rotation. rllhe switch arms are mounted on the shaft 220 suitably journaled in the base and Aprovided with the upwardly extending locking members 222. The switch arm is provided with anV outwardly extending portion 224 pivoted as at 226 tok the 'upwardly extending rod 228, the rodbeing provided with Vthe spring cap 230 between which and the seat 232 is mounted the expansion spring 234, the seat 232 being conveniently-mounted'on the base by means of the meinbers`23`6.

Intermediate the pivots 220'and 226 therev isprovided the latchiiig and trip pawl 238 pivoted thereto as at 240 and provided with the shoulder242 disposed inr way ofy the locking member 222, the member 238 being further provided with theV forwardly extending arm or linger 244. The-'shaft`206 is further provided with the disk 246, :saiddisk having the pin 248 provided 'thereon and extending in wayof the finger 244 providing lifting means forthe finger to release engagement between the shoulder 242 and the member 222. The disk is also provided with the pin 250 adapted to be rel stricted in its movement by the pin 252 mounted on the'switch arm.

` In operation yof this switch member it will be understood that closing the contacts between switch-ngers 196 serves to operate il the motor in one direction, while closing the switch fingers` 198 serves to operate the motor inreverse direction, and where a crossinggate assembly is used providedV that when oneset of switch lingers is closed as shown in Figure 6, the other oneis open as shown in Figure 9, and accordingly the operating pawls and the discs areangularly set one with respectto the other. n

Assume the gates to be in raised position and 'assuming that when the fingers 196 are closed, themotor will be operated to move the barrier arm to down position when cur'- rent is supplied when a train enters the block' closing gthe proper relaysto supplycurrent y to the motor through the switch fingers 196, the barrier moving to down position, causing rotation of the shaft 134. the shaft 134 causes the worm 202 to operate the gear 204 to cause rotation of the shaft 206. Movement of the shaft 206 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 6 causes the pin 248 to lift the arm 244 to release engagement between the member 222 and the shoulder 242, and this release will cause the spring 234 to snap the switch arm downwardly, breaking connection between the switch fingers and the contact pin 216, the downward limit of the switch arm being determined by engagement between the yoke shaped portion thereof and the shaft 206. While this operation is being effected rotation of the shaft 206 causes the member 208, as viewed in Figure 9, to raise the opposite Switch arm 214 to establish connection between the switch lingers 196, and as the pin 248 is moved out of engagement with the portion 244 an interlock is caused between the shoulder 242 and the member 222, locking the switch arm in contact position compressing the spring 234. When the switch arm shown in Figure 6 has been moved to open position current' is cut on' from the motor causing the gate to remain in down position as the relay has not operated to direct current through the switch arms 196 while the train is inthe block.

When the train leaves the block, of course, the relay will operate to supply current to the motor through the switch ingers 196 to operate the motor in a reverse direction to raise the gates. This operates the shaft 134 in reverse direction which in turn operates the shaft 206 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 6, causing a reverse operation of the mechanism, that is, an opening of the connection between the switch fingers 198 and a closing of the switch fingers 196 whereby the mechanism is in condition for operation as just described upon entrance of a train in the block.

As the movement of the switch is slight to effect operation should a train enter the block after another train has left, but before the gate has reached its full up position, the switch will be in position whereby the gate will be immediately returned to down position, so that no time will be wasted in raising the gate to full up position first. This, of course, precludes the difficulty of leaving the crossing unprotected at any time.

It is to be understood that we do not wish v to be limited by the exact embodiment of the device shown, which is merely by way of illustration and not limitation, as various and other forms of the devicewill of course be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

Rotation ofV We claim: A

1. In a crossing gate, the combination of a supporting standard, a barrier arm su porting head having a member received 1n saidstandard, means associated with said standard for movably supporting said member and head, and means for maintaining said head in normal position and returning the same thereto after movement, said means including a pivotally supported member movable in accordance with the movement of said first named member, and means for returning said last named member into its normal position.

2. In a crossing gate, the combination of a supporting standard, a barrier arm support-V ing head having a member received in said standard, means associated with said standard for movably supporting said member and head, means for maintaining said head in normal position and returning the same thereto after movement, said means including a pivotally supported member movable in accordancey with the movement of said4 first named member, and resilient means for returning said last named member into its normal position.

3. In a crossing gate, the combination of a supporting standard, a barrier arm supporting head having a member receive in said standard, means associated with said standard for movably supporting said member and head, means for maintaining said head in normal position and returning the same thereto after movement, said means including a pivotally supported ,member movable in accordance `with the movement of said first named member, and resilient means cooperating with said supporting means for returning said last named member into its normal position. a

4. In a crossing gate, the combination of a supporting standard, a barrier arm supporting head having a member received in said standard, means associated with said standard for movably supporting said member and head, means for maintaining said head in normal position and returning the same thereto after movement, saidv means `including a pivotally supported member movable in accordance with the movement of said first named member, rods depending from said last named member, and resilient means carried by said rods and cooperating with said supporting means for returning said last named member into its normal position.

5. In a crossing gate, the combination of a supporting standard, a barrier arm supporting head having a member received in said standard, means associated with said standard for movably supporting said member and head, means for maintaining said head in normal position and returning the same thereto after movement, said means including a. pivotally supported member movable in accordance with the movementv of said first named member, rods depending from said last named member, guide means on said supportingmeans -for said rods,r and resilient means Carried by saidrods and @00perating with said supporting means for returning said last named member into its normal position.

Signed at Chicago, Iliinois, this 4th day of August, 1930.

EDWARD H. TAYLOR. EDGAR F. SEIFERT. CARL OTTOKAR .MERIOKA- WILLAM M. LOSER. HARRY R. BEHNKE. HOWARD SVOMERVELL. 

